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What is Technics thinking?

Lots has been said, both pro and con, about the new Technics turntable.  Description here -

http://www.sl1200gae.info/about

Some are excited about the potential, given the upgrades since their last production table/arm, the venerable SL-12XX series.  Others see it simply as an excuse to raise the price significantly of the 1200s.

In my view they shot themselves in the foot.  They copied the model number of their best selling table (I can only imagine in the hope the familiarity will carry over) and also ended up with a very similar appearance.  Given the information on all the upgrades over their prior model, the similarities make it appear like something less than what it might be.

Technics had a room at THE Show Newport and that was my first chance to see a SL-1200GAE.  The fit and finish appeared to be very good but it did look like a "polished up" SL-12XX.  I ask the Technics rep why they didn't do more to distinguish this as a new model, given their efforts with engineer upgrades.  He said he could understand my question but then really didn't offer a reasonable explanation.  After describing all the components which had been redesigned/upgraded from the prior model he offered a demo.  However the room was crowded and the remainder of the system was completely unfamiliar, so no fair impression could be made.

I believe it should have had a more unique model designation and more might have been done to the physical package so it didn't look so much like the prior model.

pryso
raymonda
847 posts
 
Mods are already being done to the power supply, thus improving the apparent and still problematic cogging effect that the new unit has. Also, replacing the tonearm plate and tone arm appears to bring the table up to snuff with some reports indicating that it approaches the Sp10 mkiii. It also adds another 3000 or more to the cost, but then you have an almost realized product.

I guess if you can get one discounted at around 1000 and then invest the rest in the mods you'll have a nice sounding table, if you can get over the DJ looks. I rather spend my money on something else.

andysf's avatar
andysf
131 posts
 
"Mods are already being done to the power supply, thus improving the apparent and still problematic cogging effect that the new unit has."

Haven't heard any reports of this supposed "problematic cogging effect" from users.  Would like to hear from anyone who has experienced it!
raymonda
847 posts
 
All direct drives cog. Whether or not you hear it or notice it's impact is individualized. Timestep does the mods. Feel free to go to their website for more information.

audiofun
669 posts
 
I own the Sl1200 GAE and an Artisan Fidelity SP10 Mk3 NG and I can say that the new table sounds awesome and it does not cog. 

I ran my table at 78 rpm for about 200 hours to seat the bearing. This makes a big difference. I think it was an incredible value and cheap at $4k. Just look at what the other companies are charging for tables direct or belt that have nothing like the technology or build quality of the GAE. 
audiofun
669 posts
 
All direct drives do not cog. Any non-coreless motor can cog, including belt drive tables. Also, because a belt drive is usually turning at 300rpm, multiple resonance modes are being induced into the platter. Now, I'll admit that I have yet to hear a belt drive that I like as I prefer idlers and direct drive table. I can always hear the motors in belt drive tables from several feet away at 33.3 rpm, including one very nice $40k belt drive table I have recently evaluated. I was shocked that I could hear the very very heavy motor as it spun. I can not hear my GAE or SP10 mk3 motors at 33.3 rpm even with my ear on the plinth. 

The belt drives have their place I am sure but for me they simply lack drive/force, a sense of power if you will. Idlers and directs have this attribute which I am partial to. 

Better direct drive including the SL1200 Mk2 also do not "hunt and seek" as Mr. Framer and others have alleged in times past. That is why it is call a Quartz -Lock. It locks to speed and adjusts when a load change is detected. All one has to do is scope (O'scope) the table and look at the resultant wave-form. Cheap tables may exhibit that undesirable behavior but even the SL1200 MK X did not behave in that manner. 

Now, having made my thoughts public, I have nothing against belt drive tables other than the fact that I've never heard one that I prefer over a direct or idler. Never heard a Caliburn :)

Just wanted to comment on some things I see posted over and over and which I know to be in error. 
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